If you've been researching the Wegovy tablet, you might have seen nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation are among the most common symptoms, and they're often one of the biggest concerns people have before starting treatment.
With most weight loss medication, side effects are part of treatment. Most people experience digestive symptoms during the first few weeks and after dose increases. However, they're a normal part of treatment for many people, and they usually improve as the body adapts to the medication.
Here, we'll look at the most common Wegovy tablet side effects, share tips for managing them, and cover some of the rarer, more serious side effects you should know before starting treatment.
Contact our team or start a weight loss consultation to discuss your treatment plan.
In this article:
What are the most common Wegovy tablet side effects?
Why does the Wegovy tablet cause these side effects?
When are side effects usually at their worst?
What if side effects don’t settle?
Can I do anything to help improve side effects?
Are there any other side effects of oral Semaglutide?
Are there any serious side effects to be aware of?
When should you speak to your prescriber?
What are the most common Wegovy tablet side effects?
Like all GLP-1 weight loss medications, the most common side effects of the Wegovy tablet are digestive symptoms such as (1):
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Stomach pain
These side effects are very common. In clinical trials, 74% of people taking oral Semaglutide experienced at least one digestive symptom (1). Nausea on the Wegovy pill is the most common, affecting almost half of the participants, while around one-third reported vomiting (1).
Fortunately, these side effects are usually mild to moderate. And although unpleasant, they are typically temporary and improve as the body adjusts to the medicine.
Why does the Wegovy tablet cause these side effects?
The side effects of the Wegovy tablet happen because of how these weight loss tablets work.
Semaglutide mimics a hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate appetite. One way it does this is by slowing digestion and keeping food in the stomach for longer. While this helps you feel fuller and supports weight loss, it is also what’s responsible for many of the digestive side effect symptoms.
In other words, side effects occur because the medication is producing the effects that actually help you lose weight. As your digestive system adjusts to processing food more slowly, the side effects often become less noticeable.
When are side effects usually at their worst?
You’re more likely to experience side effects of the Wegovy tablet:
During the first few weeks of treatment
In the weeks following a dose increase
As you move towards higher strength tablets
This is one reason why oral Semaglutide is introduced via a recommended Wegovy pill dosing guide, rather than starting at the 25mg maintenance dose (2). By increasing the dose step by step, your body has more time to adapt to the effects of Semaglutide before moving up to the next strength.
It’s also worth remembering that everyone’s experience is different. Some people have very few symptoms throughout treatment, whereas others may notice more digestive upset, progress through the doses more slowly, or struggle to tolerate higher strengths.
What if side effects don’t settle down?
Side effects settle down for most people. In clinical trials, only 6.9% of participants stopped taking oral Semaglutide because of side effects (1).
But if your side effects don’t settle or are difficult to tolerate, talk to your prescriber before stopping treatment. Some people benefit from staying on each dose for longer than the standard 30-day schedule, giving their body more time to adjust before moving up.
Also, not everyone will need to reach higher doses to achieve meaningful weight loss and will titrate (increase dose) in line with what their body can tolerate. If you're losing weight successfully and experiencing unpleasant side effects that don’t settle, your prescriber may decide that a lower maintenance dose is more appropriate.
There are also several simple steps you can take to make the first few weeks of treatment easier.
Can I do anything to help improve side effects?
Yes, there are several steps you can take to make side effects easier to manage while your body adjusts to treatment:
Eat smaller meals more frequently
Avoid greasy, fried, or very rich foods
Eat slowly and stop when comfortably full
Stay well hydrated throughout the day
Avoid lying down immediately after eating
Choose bland foods if you're feeling nauseous
Most importantly, don't struggle in silence. If side effects are affecting your quality of life, speak to your prescriber rather than stopping treatment yourself. There may be ways to adjust your treatment plan that make the medication easier to tolerate.
Are there any other side effects of oral Semaglutide?
While digestive symptoms are by far the most common side effects of the Wegovy tablet, some people may also experience symptoms affecting other parts of the body.
Very common side effects (affecting more than 1 in 10 people) include headache and fatigue. These are usually mild and often improve as your body adjusts to treatment (3).
Common side effects (affecting up to 1 in 10 people) include dizziness, hair loss, and unusual tingling or burning sensations in the skin. People with type 2 diabetes may also be more likely to experience low blood sugar, particularly if they are taking other medications (3).
Uncommon side effects (affecting up to 1 in 100 people) include an increased heart rate, low blood pressure, and low blood sugar in people without diabetes (3).
Are there any serious side effects to be aware of?
Serious side effects are uncommon with Semaglutide, but there are some to be aware of:
Pancreatitis has been reported with GLP-1 medications. Symptoms can include severe abdominal pain, pain that spreads to the back, nausea, persistent vomiting, and/or fever.
Gallbladder problems can occur, partly because rapid weight loss itself increases the risk of gallstones. Symptoms can include severe stomach pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
Serious allergic reactions to Semaglutide can occur. Symptoms may include swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, or a severe rash.
Semaglutide medicines also carry a warning about thyroid tumours based on animal studies. It’s not known whether this risk applies to humans. Still, as a precaution, people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2) generally aren’t suitable for the Wegovy tablet (3).
When should you speak to your prescriber?
Most Wegovy tablet side effects are not dangerous and improve on their own as the body adjusts to the medication. However, you should speak to your prescriber if:
Any side effects are severe, persistent, or affecting your quality of life
You experience symptoms of pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, or a serious allergic reaction
If you’re struggling with Wegovy tablet side effects, want more information on them before starting treatment, or are interested in weight loss tablets you can find more information on our website.
Contact our team or start a weight loss tablets consultation to discuss your treatment plan.
References
Wharton S, Ildiko Lingvay, Bogdanski P, Duque R, Jacob S, Karlsson T, et al. Oral Semaglutide at a Dose of 25 mg in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2025 Sep 17;393(11):1077–87.
Wegovy 25 mg tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc) | 102347 [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2026 [cited 2026 June 22].
Wegovy 25 mg tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc) | 102347 [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2026 [cited 2026 Jun 22].